Woodford Aerodrome

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations British Aerospace plc has made to his Department about the extent to which Woodford aerodrome in Greater Manchester is functioning within the standards set down by the Civil Aviation Authority; and if he will make a statement;

(2) whether he has any plans to review the standards laid down by the Civil Aviation Authority governing the use and operating limits of individual aerodromes;

(3) if he will cite the relevant legislation under which the Civil Aviation Authority is empowered to vary or authorise a temporary derogation from the standards laid down governing the use and operating limits of individual aerodromes; and whether he monitors such variations or derogations.

I have received no representations from British Aerospace about Woodford aerodrome. The statutory responsibility for regulating the safety of civil aviation in the United Kingdom rests with the Civil Aviation Authority in accordance with the Air Navigation Order 1989. This includes the granting of aerodrome licences to persons or organisations who are deemed by the authority to be fit and competent to hold such licences. I have no plans to review the standards laid down.